The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs expressed support for the Minister for Justice during the resumed debate on the Labour motion of no confidence in Mr O'Donoghue.

Ms Liz O'Donnell said that in expressing her concerns about the current difficulties relating to immigration, she had "no wish to inflame public debate or cause insult to any person, not least the Minister for Justice, who I acknowledge is working in very difficult circumstances".

She appealed to all members of the House to be responsible and to avoid a polarised and acrimonious debate which could lead, in turn, to division among people. "The best outcome of this debate would be to have a reasonable, responsible and rights-based approach, kind to the needy and firm with the law-breaker."

Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said that the shameful scenes at the refugee application centre in Dublin had been reminiscent of the experience of the huddled masses of Irish emigrants of the past at Ellis Island in New York.

Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) said Fianna Fail deputies were trying to stir up the politics of resentment, trying to appeal to those poor people in Ireland who were desperately in need of a home and living in poverty by suggesting that somehow the refugees were responsible. "That is despicable beyond belief."

A Government amendment to the motion, expressing confidence in the Minister, was carried by 78 votes to 74. Ms O'Donnell joined with her PD colleagues to vote with Fianna Fail. The Government was also supported by Independents Mr Jackie Healy-Rae (Kerry South), Mr Thomas Gildea (Donegal South-west), Mr Harry Blaney (Donegal North-east), and Ms Mildred Fox (Wicklow).

Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party, Mr Higgins, Mr O Caolain and Mr Tony Gregory (Independent, Dublin Central) voted against the Government.

The opposition then challenged a vote on the motion, as amended, and the result was the same.